CIRRHITIDAE Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus, 4.1 cm SL (photo by Richard Winterbottom) Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus (photo by Mark Strickland) Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus (Bleeker, 1855) Pixy Hawkfish D X, 12; A III, 6; P1 14; LLp 41-45; GR 4-6 + 10. Body oblong. Snout pointed; mouth relatively large, maxilla reaching posterior to a vertical at front edge of eye; preopercle margin coarsely serrate. A continuous dorsal fin notched between spinous and soft portions; fifth dorsal-fin spine longest; first soft dorsal-fin ray prolonged; a turf of cirri from membrane near tip of each dorsal-fin spine; 6 lower rays of pectoral fins unbranched and thickened. Lateral line continuous; 3-4 rows of scales between lateral line and spinous portion of dorsal fin; 4 rows of large scales on cheek, in addition to small scales. Caudal fin slightly emarginate to truncate. Color: whitish with 3 rows of large subquadrate red-edged dark brown spots arranged in 5 vertical series, spots larger dorsally; lesser red spots between and below these series; 4 vertical rows of small dark spots on head. Size: maximum length about 8.5 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific and tropical eastern Pacific, from Red Sea and Mauritius to Gulf of California and Panama. Remarks: associated with coral heads of shallow water to depths of 40 m.